The Jezebel Spirit

An online discussion on one the most powerful and destructive anti-God spirits which manifested historically and continues through to the present day.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Eph 6:12

Preamble:

Queen Jezebel

What follows at the foot of this page is a ‘running conversation’ between the editor of the Christians Together website and Monica Widdowson, a mature Christian believer. The subject of the exchange(s) is a women called Jezebel who appears in Bible history and who manifested a most powerful and evil influence on the nation of Israel and on the people around her. The rationale for exploring this topic is the fact that the deadly Jezebel spirit is very much alive and active today; both inside the church and in the secular world.

The discussion, which will be in a ‘Question and Answer’ format and should not be seen as an attack on women per se, rather aimed at exploring the dynamic in the spiritual realm and the outworking of same in the physical world. (Eph 6:12).

The aim is to write for those readers who would acknowledge a spiritual dimension to the world in which we live – whether or not they are disciples of Jesus (Christians). There is a standing invitation to anyone who is spiritually-minded to pose bona fide questions of their own (while retaining editorial prerogative on anything that is offered for publication).editor@christianstogether.net

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In order for any interested persons to pursue their own studies on the character and life of Jezebel, the references to her are contained in the Bible as follows: -

1 Kings 16:31; 1 Kings chs. 18, 19 & 21; 2 Kings ch. 9; Rev. 2:20

There are ample online facilities to read these passages in full, but appended is a list of verses which contain the word ‘Jezebel’:

1 Kings 16:31
He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him.

1 Kings 18:4
While Jezebel was killing off the Lord's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)

1 Kings 18:13
Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.

1 Kings 18:19
Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

1 Kings 19:1-2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."

1 Kings 21:5
His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?"

1 Kings 21:7
Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

1 Kings 21:11
So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.

1 Kings 21:14
Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."

1 Kings 21:15
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead."

1 Kings 21:23
"And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'

1 Kings 21:25
(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.

2 Kings 9:7
You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel.

2 Kings 9:10
As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no-one will bury her.' " Then he opened the door and ran.

2 Kings 9:22
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, "Have you come in peace, Jehu?" "How can there be peace," Jehu replied, "as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?"

2 Kings 9:30
Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window.

2 Kings 9:36
They went back and told Jehu, who said, "This is the word of the Lord that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh.

2 Kings 9:37
Jezebel's body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no-one will be able to say, 'This is Jezebel.' "

Rev 2:20
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

Monica Widdowson: a personal testimony

I met with the risen Lord Jesus in South Africa years ago as I checked out a Sunday school for my four sons. Isaiah 65 became a reality to me: " I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek Me".
Having been brought up as a child in the Church of England I had heard of Jesus but had never met Him until that wonderful day when my life changed for ever.

After four years in South Africa where the Lord revealed His wonderful love to me; teaching me that there was power in the name of Jesus, setting me free to enjoy living in His presence and then saving my life when I had a gun held to my face. Subsequently I returned to Enland for a brief time before moving to Australia with my family. It was here that God gave me a love of His Word, especially of the Old Testament, and brought me into fellowship and lasting friendships with lovely mature Christians. I had the privilige of nearly six years intensive Bible study through Bible Study Fellowship beginning with Israel and the minor prophets!

I was invited by my Anglican minister [now in Glory] to initially serve as a church co-ordinator for a pioneering initiative of local churches in bringing practical Christian love to those in need outside of the churches. However at the initial meeting of co-ordinators I was invited to be Programme Director of the ministry Love INC (Love in the name of Christ). As such, the Lord threw me in at the deep end and I learned very quickly that when God calls, He always provides and enables, as you trust in Him. As an aside, I was, in the natural sense, the least likely person for such a responsible task, involving as it did training, speaking at churches and attending board meetings.

Six years later, we moved to Singapore where the Lord and the disciples of Jesus there tutored me further in the matter of intercessory prayer and the importance of Israel in the purposes of God.

A year later we returned to UK where I still live. I have had amazing opportunities to share with others the life application of the Word of God, setting up and teaching in a local Bible school 20 years ago. It is the Lord who has taught me all I know, yet always confirmed through His servants.

We can see a variety of instances in the historical life of Israel whereby a manipulative spirit, on various occasions, caused great damage. The earliest account being in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1 – 6) and evidenced also perhaps in the story of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16:15 – 21).

It is so important before looking at the ‘darkness’ that we are sure we are walking closely with Jesus in the light; having received a love of the Truth, living lives that are fully surrendered to Him with hearts that have been softened and healed by a loving Saviour.

No wonder the scriptures are full of the need of God’s people to be living righteously, walking closely with their Saviour and one another, having no broken relationships [“ in as much as it depends on us “ … Romans 12:17 - 20].

This is for our personal protection, and no-one can fight a battle on his or her own. The prayers of the saints are vital. And we need to be fully equipped in the whole armour of God and walking in the paths of righteousness.

In this context we now look more closely at some of the dangers to God’s servants through this evil spirit.

Like all demonic beings, Jezebel needs people through whom to work. Unlike demonic possession alone, this spirit can also influence and utilise even God’s people in its evil purposes. Again it is important to keep in mind that as Christians we have been born again onto a battlefield, not into a comfortable life! [2 Corinthians 12:10].

Accordingly we need to seek to address this subject from a heavenly standpoint; not just seeing situations through our natural eyes or assessing them from a merely human perspective. [Ephesians 2:6].

Whilst the Jezebel spirit can indeed be found in the earliest of times, there is ample evidence that this demonic dynamic is ever-present in our contemporary world.

In relation to those who are particularly 'in the sights' of the Jezebel Spirit, it is especially but not exclusively those who are exercising a God-given ministry; those who are serving the Lord well and endeavouring to live holy lives.

Jezebel will seek out and target such people with the intention of destroying both them and their God-given ministries. The person/people through whom this spirit is operating will also either want the ministries for themselves, having first removed the leader, or alternatively want to control the leader.

Just as the historical Jezebel did, this spirit very often initiates false accusations and character assassinations (cf 1 Kings 21: 9 - 10). I have recently read the Trustees Report for a well known ministry with its direct reference to events of the past few years, and which is now freely available on the internet To me it is obvious that this evil spirit has been at work in seeking to destroy a fine ministry and the man who had received this ministry from God. [Ed note: See links at foot of this post which refer to the situation of Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo/Barnabas Fund.]

Accusations which later proved to be false, inevitably brought doubts in some minds as to the integrity of a godly man, backed up by so called witnesses who themselves seemed to have had personal grievances against him.

Into all of this there appeared jealousy, ambition, hatred of God-given vision and success; all of which bear the hallmark of a Jezebel spirit who will use those who are not living and walking in the Spirit but in the flesh, to accomplish the war plan of destruction of godly men and women.

This spirit is very dangerous as it is almost impossible to pin down. The person who is manifesting this spirit or being greatly influenced by it, most often uses others [false witnesses] to do its dirty work (1 Kings 21: 8; 11) and will if confronted deny any involvement in such things, i.e. "Who me?!"

......Ed footnotes: 1. See the following links which refer to issues mentioned above.

2. As this 'conversation' develops it may be that readers have their own particular questions to ask; or have their own personal experience of the Jezebel spirit at work. If so please e-mail editor@christianstogether.net

All communications will be treated in the strictest confidence, and nothing will be published which will identify the sender.

The following is a list of examples of how someone behaves who is manifesting this spirit, although not exhaustive; again, you can see most of them exhibited in the Biblical accounts of Jezebel in both the Old and New Testaments.

1. Very religious and ‘involved’ in many strands of the church community

2.Very strong ‘natural’ character which can cause people to feel intimidated

3.Will appear initially to want to be your friend/helper

4.If a woman, often has a sickly sweetness about her

5.Will never admit to being in the wrong, he/she is always right

6.If challenged as to her behaviour, you will become her enemy

7.Gets others to do her dirty work. She will come alongside those believers who are weak and not living righteously, and by innuendo plant negative ideas into their minds about her target, and then like Chinese whispers, the gossip, suspicion and character assassination begins.

8. He/she is fiercely jealous of Godly success and may well seek to remove a leader and substitute herself or someone of her choice, even if not actually wanting the ministry. It is all about manipulation and control.

9.This person is very manipulative especially in getting others to do her bidding.

10. Has a way of discovering personal information [clairvoyance] which will be twisted and used to advantage against you.

11.If ever challenged will be offended and say ‘if I did or said so and so then I am sorry, ’ false repentance.

12.In rebellion against God this person will not submit to authority except for their own ends and then only superficially.

13.People are drawn supernaturally to this person. The Biblical Jezebel was a seductress, likewise those who manifest a Jezebel spirit, and who will do all she can to draw others to herself by flattery, manipulation and if necessary, intimidation.

2. As this 'conversation' develops it may be that readers have their own particular questions to ask; or have their own personal experience of the Jezebel spirit at work. If so please e-mail editor@christianstogether.net

All communications will be treated in the strictest confidence, and nothing will be published which will identify the sender.

Again, this is something which needs discernment and wisdom of the Lord. There may be a distancing of friends/acquaintances, an awareness that there are rumours and false accusations circulating, but which can never be pinned down as to what they are exactly.

To try and rectify naturally any misunderstanding, or to address the accusations seldom works, as this spirit is masterful at hiding and will actually manipulate the situation such that the one targeted by Jezebel then becomes the ‘bad person’, with ‘ Jezebel’ becoming the victim, a cleverly staged strategy.

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